[attr="class","beck"]unable to cower any further into herself, rabbit is left with no choice but to spew her INNARDS OUT. it spills into the tank, guts and other internal organs splashing into sand and water.

"i'm sorry you can't."

if he could, he'd die so chu-e could live.

"but i've made my choice."

turning his back, he reaches both hands into the tank to carefully tend to rabbit.

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

He opens his mouth to scream, to yell, to finish his tantrum.

But they stick in his throat with a ragged inhale.

take it take it take it take it take it take it take it take it take it take it

It would be so easy, just one touch, a pull, and Chu-e could have what he deserved and

He pulls his hand back, reaching out, unbidden, blinks away the momentary loss of himself.

"I wish you would have let me die back then."

Lower, raw, as he picks up mental pieces.

[attr="class","beck"]"it would've been less painful, yes."

his hands swim through viscous liquid, scooping up rabbit's organs to move them closer to her. she'll suck them back in when she's ready to, when the tension in the room eventually disssipates.

"but i don't regret it."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

"If doesn't matter that you don't regret it." is hissed out, quick.

"All you ever did to kids like me was break us up, then put back the pieces in a shape Rocket liked better. Did you do the same to Victoria Beckett? Fuck her up the same way you did me?"

It's said in disgust.

Chu-e wants a fight. He wants to see if any of his barbed words stick.

"You pat her on the back and tell her she did good after she slit someone's throat, too, dad?"

[attr="class","beck"]the barbed words do stick but they fail to draw much of a reaction apart from the tensing of his posture.

his hands linger in the tank, soaked in rabbit's slime, as his head tilts over his shoulder. it's similar to a glare, but not quite.

"i'm not your dad."

his gaze flicks towards the stairs.

"close the door behind you when you leave."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

The dismissal is clear.

Fury, hot and white, scorches his insides.

Just maybe not in the way that THEO BECKETT would expect.

"Oh no you don't"

Chu-e isn't as strong as he used to be, can't exert himself, but in quick bursts he's still fast. It's just a few steps, then all his paltry strength goes into grabbing Theo, turning him around, yanking at his collar with both fists to pull him down, face to face.

Close enough for Theo to see the fire in his eyes, smell the lingering scent of illness he tried to cover up with harsh soaps.

"I won't force you to stick your dick in anything or I'm no better than a fucking rapist." His grip is iron, voice low and deadly between them.

"But I'm not going to stand here and let you close me out, Theo. I became your problem the moment I stepped through your door twelve fucking years ago. Act like it."

[attr="class","beck"]theo shows no resistance.

after a moment of silence, he whispers:

"it's...painful, chu-e."

a mucous-covered hand raises to place against the side of chu-e's face.

"i don't want to lose you."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi

The mucous kind of ruins the whole atmosphere Chu-e had hoped to build.

A tight sigh.

He shakes THEO BECKETT just once more for the hell of it before letting go.

"That's life."

There isn't more to say about it than that.

"So instead of moping like a bitch, you're coming to my house Sunday and we're having a family dinner. Me, you, my boyfriend, the kid I accidentally adopted. Enjoy me while you have me."

[attr="class","beck"]life sure can be cruel sometimes.

but he's glad chu-e's in his.

"sounds dreadful."

he offers a soft smile.

"i'll be there."

[attr="class","noodles"]Chu-e Choi